Black-bellied slender salamander
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| Batrachoseps nigriventris |
The Black-bellied slender salamander (Batrachoseps nigriventris) is a small species of salamander, about 3.1 to 4.3 cm long. It has a worm-like body, a small head and small limbs, and a long cylindrical tail, often twice the length of its body. The Black-bellied slender salamander can have a black, tan, reddish, brown or beige dorsum often with a contrasting broad mid-dorsal stripe of similar colors. It has a purplish or black venter with fine light speckling over the entire surface.
B. nigriventis looks similar to the related species B. pacificus and B. gabrieli.
This species will coil its body and tail when handled; it is fragile and easily injured. It prefers oak and sycamore woodlands over other habitats.
[edit] References
- Hammerson (2004). Batrachoseps nigriventris. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern
- This article is based on a description from "A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Coastal Southern California", Robert N. Fisher and Ted J. Case, USGS, http://www.werc.usgs.gov/fieldguide/index.htm.
